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Post by billtinaday on Apr 23, 2012 18:18:02 GMT
I do hope I`m not putting anybody to too much trouble,but I need some more help as I am trying to tidy up my family archive. I need to know the wartime career of three people but my info is a bit scant. 1 Sidney John Thomason R.A.M.C. 1940,born staffordshire...my Dad. 2 Sergeant Alfred Thomason R.A.C.-India,born staffordshire..My Uncle 3 Lieutenant Josiah Thornley R.N.V.R. born Prestwich,Manchester..my Uncle
All WW2
many thanks...Bill
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Post by shred on Apr 23, 2012 22:14:23 GMT
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 8:34:37 GMT
Bill, WW2 records, as far as I am aware, are not available on the World Wide Web. You would need to contact the MOD to apply for them (at a cost - £30). If your mother is still alive, she can apply for your father' service records free of charge. The same goes if any of the wife's of the uncles if they are alive. You can also apply for the your self free of charge under the freedom of information act but this is a bit of a battle but it can be done. I have done it regarding my own fathers service records. Ben
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Post by billtinaday on Apr 24, 2012 15:14:27 GMT
thanks ben,alas no mother and I doubt if wives are still alive,I vaguely recall hearing of one of them passing away,which one I`m not sure. If I go via F.O.I. what is the biggest stumbling block?
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Post by Hawker Hurricane on Apr 24, 2012 17:06:55 GMT
FOI is not applicable as they are personal records of individuals. FOI only applies to records and information of a non-personal nature not already freely available in the public domain.
Depending on the nature of the content of personal records, the closure period where they remain confidential can vary, anything up to 100 years. And this can apply from date of last entry, or from date of death of the individual concerned, again depending on the type of information contained.
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Post by billtinaday on Apr 24, 2012 18:06:06 GMT
ok,HH,I think I`ll leave it for now, thanks all.
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steveboler
Sergeant
Never give up, its out there.
Posts: 68
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Post by steveboler on Apr 24, 2012 21:44:44 GMT
Ben, Sorry to butt in gents, but reading the post by Ben. I was after the WWII Service Record of my father and was informed the fee would be £30. Now written asking why I, the son, am not "next of kin" and mentioned the FOI Act. If I am not the next of kin, what am I an alien from out of space! Let you know the reply "within the next fifteen days" as they say.
Steve
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Post by shred on Apr 24, 2012 22:11:58 GMT
Interesting read.
I look forward to seeing the MOD's reply to Steve's missive.
Garry
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Post by Hawker Hurricane on Apr 24, 2012 23:05:07 GMT
They should waive the charge if you provide copies of your parents' marriage and death certificates, a copy of your birth certificate, and a covering letter detailing your status as closest living direct descendant. This, along with their standard completed application forms should suffice. It sounds a lot, but the legal repurcussions under the Data Protection Act, etc. if they wrongly release information are pretty strict. Unfortunately, these laws have been fallen foul of due to cleverly put together wrongful requests in the past, therefore the watchword these days with all archives is caution first. After all, you cannot face prosecution for refusing to release records. Sadly, past abuses make things more difficult for legitimate requests. I know from colleagues that it's something we're often torn about, but at the end of the day we have to check and double check that every 'i' is dotted and every 't' is crossed before information is released. It's not worth risking livelihood, pension, future employability, and possible prosecution, no matter how sympathetic we may feel towards a person requesting information.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2012 8:53:22 GMT
Hi Bill & Steve, i had much the same result you had Steve. I applied a few years back and was given the same answer as i wasn't the next of kin. They threw the data protection act at me and i wrote back quoting the freedom of information act and stating much the same as you had said in regards who was if not next of kin? After a few more letter, i finally receive what little they had regarding my fathers service records. They had removed his national insurance number but that is understandable. After all my time and effort i was just happy i hadn't given in and paid for what amounted to Name/Rank & number and not much more. Now i could have paid for these/this record and felt i had been ripped off as i had quoted all these details on my application form. So before either of you spend a penny, i suggest you moan and write to the MOD as many times as it takes to get what is your right to have access to. Ben
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steveboler
Sergeant
Never give up, its out there.
Posts: 68
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Post by steveboler on Apr 25, 2012 8:56:08 GMT
Thanks HH for the info. Wait to see what they say and if negative, attack your way.
Steve
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steveboler
Sergeant
Never give up, its out there.
Posts: 68
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Post by steveboler on Apr 25, 2012 14:23:29 GMT
Ben, Thanks for the tip. I battle 'til the last door closes in my face.! Fought the DWP 3 years ago who kept sending the wrong contribution records to Italy and called me a liar. Three months to get what was rightly mine and thensent them a bill for the missing Italian Pension, not that they paid me. Love a good battle if I'm in the right.
Steve
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Post by Hawker Hurricane on Apr 25, 2012 23:53:42 GMT
Steve, please do let us know how you get on. Keeping fingers crossed for success for you. Please feel free to private message or email me if I can be of assistance or give further advice.
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mack
Second Lieutenant
Posts: 481
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Post by mack on Apr 27, 2012 2:56:42 GMT
the MOD dont explain themselves properly,when they say your not next of kin,what they mean is that your father didnt list you as NOK when he enlisted because you were probably not even born. when you apply for your fathers records,state that you want the complete record,not the basic records. when a soldier enlists,he gives the army the details of his NOK,they are the only people who the army will accept as his/hers NOK,because thats the soldiers wishes
mack
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steveboler
Sergeant
Never give up, its out there.
Posts: 68
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Post by steveboler on Apr 27, 2012 14:16:18 GMT
Here we go; Thanks to you all for info and advice. Just completed Part 1 and 2. Sent copies of: My fathers' BC/MC and the DC issued by British Consul, Italy My Mothers' BC and officially translated DC into english. My BC and translated Residency Certificate, prove I live here. Wrote a letter(diplomaticaly) explaining I require the full service history of my late father and that I am the only NOK,apart from my sister, regardless what is written in the official papers as NOK. As son and next of kin the £30 fee should be waived and require the details under the FOI Act. So we'll see if that works, if not, into Battle we go!! ;D Picture added by admin as requested by Steve.Steve
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